Dear Family and Friends,
Christmas
Letter, as per the usual. Let's see, news...
 |
| A Biscuit in a basket |
1)
*hiss*
2)
*lick-lick-lick-lick*
3)
George remembers he doesn't like Biscuit
4)
*hiss*
5)
George runs away
I should mention that George
is a big old coward. Bunny is beautifully dignified, as always, although she
has been annoyed into reminding Biscuit of his place with an occasional *whap*
of her paw. Her regular response is to simply go away when he gets all up in
her grill. When he is full grown, I suspect he will prove to be either be a
Maine Coon or part Ragdoll, and MUCH bigger than either of them. Hopefully he
won't be a bully. But he is far more affectionate and cuddly with me than
either of them, so in the "Who does Mommy love best?" contest, he's
pretty much already won. But I make sure the others get equal time. Although
Biscuit's determined attempts to drape himself over my keyboard while napping
in my lap is a nuisance. As is the curtain-climbing.
Discovered my Specific
Allergies. I
had pinkeye twice this Fall, and the second bout was so bad that my eye doctor
got a little freaked out. The attending doctor insisted I go get my allergies
checked (it was allergy-based conjunctivitis) and it turns out that I am
allergic to dust mites, cockroaches, and dog hair. Thank God, not my cats! But
I am starting to take steps to reduce the dust mites in particular, with
special bedding, more aggressive cleaning, and eventually putting in hardwood
floors.
Resumed Choir. I went back to singing alto
with the Chamber Singers and Parish Choir at St. Bartholomew. I took a choral
sabbatical in the Fall of 2013, and so when it started up again this year I
jumped back in, and was relieved that the burnout I was feeling 12 months
earlier was completely gone. I do seem to spend a lot of time singing... more
in the last 5-10 years than in all the years prior to that! I genuinely prefer
singing backup or harmonizing with other singers -- I have very little wish to
be a soloist.
Pining for a Farm. This year I really began to
long for a property out in the country, or at least remote enough that I could
keep some livestock without bothering my neighbors. My dream situation is a few
acres (conveniently located near interstate exits so I can be on the road to
clients frequently) south of Nashville, a smallish house, and space for
beehives, and eventually maybe even chicken and goats. I want to garden and
putter about and have a project shed. I want to have barn cats. I am
technically "looking," but with full knowledge that it will be an Act
of God if such a property were to come available in my limited price range and
location.
Acquired Furniture. I finally got the last two
pieces I have wanted to get for some time; a china cupboard and a good dining
room table and chairs. Both were bought secondhand from dear friends, and I
cannot express the satisfaction I get every time I look across the room at
them. It makes me feel like I’m FINALLY a grownup! However, the floor around
them is usually covered in cat toys, so it is rarely as tidy as I would like.
Ran Out of Updates. Seriously, I am sitting here
racking my brain for anything new to tell about events of the past year, and I
am drawing a blank! Things happened; I worked, I had appointments with computer
clients, I spent time with friends and family... but nothing particularly
notable! So I shall leave it there. 2014: A quiet year for me; not necessarily
for the rest of the world.
God
bless you and your family in 2015.
Let
there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
Love,
Susan
